Methods and systems for controlling and maintaining the temperature of a drink within a drinking vessel

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are systems for regulating a temperature of a drink, the system comprising: a receptacle system defining a recess for receiving a drinking vessel, including: an outer receptacle, and an inner receptacle that is removably couplable to the outer receptacle, wherein a cavity is defined between the outer receptacle and the inner receptable, the receptacle system comprising a top end portion, a bottom end portion, an inner wall portion, and an outer wall portion, the top end portion defines a top opening of the recess.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for controllingand maintaining the temperature of a drink within a drinking vessel.

BACKGROUND

As a drink sits in a drinking vessel, the temperature of the drink risesor falls to ambient temperature instead of being maintained at, orchanged to, a desired drinking temperature. Devices have been developedto maintain the temperature of a drink. One class of devices maintains adrink temperature by being inserted into the contents of the drinkingvessel. Another class maintains temperature through beverage jackets(e.g., koozie, hugger, coozie). Another class is a specialized drinkingvessel that itself is thermally insulated to maintain the temperature ofthe drink (e.g., tumbler or frozen glass). Another class includestabletop containers that can chill a bottle of wine.

SUMMARY

Innovative aspects of the subject matter described in this specificationmay be embodied in a system that includes regulating a temperature of adrink, the system including a receptacle system defining a recess forreceiving a drinking vessel, including: an outer receptacle, and aninner receptacle that is removably couplable to the outer receptacle,wherein a cavity is defined between the outer receptacle and the innerreceptable, the receptacle system comprising a top end portion, a bottomend portion, an inner wall portion, and an outer wall portion, the topend portion defines a top opening of the recess.

These and other embodiments may each optionally include one or more ofthe following features. For instance, a stand for holding the receptaclesystem, the stand releasably attached to the receptable system. Thestand includes a top end positioned opposite a bottom end, the top endof the stand proximate to an attachment point with the receptaclesystem, the stand further including a reservoir proximate to the top endof the stand. The outer receptacle includes a through hole positionedproximate to the reservoir when the receptacle system is attached to thestand. The outer receptacle includes one or more pathways positionedbetween an inner surface of the outer receptacle and an inner surface ofthe inner receptacle, the pathways terminating at the through hole. Thestand includes a top end positioned opposite a bottom end, the top endof the stand proximate to an attachment point with the receptaclesystem, the stand further including a cavity proximate to the top end ofthe stand. The outer receptacle includes a protruding member, whereinwhen the receptacle system is attached to the stand, the protrudingmember is at least partially positioned within the cavity. Theprotruding member of the outer receptacle and the cavity of the standinclude corresponding magnetic members to couple the receptacle systemto the stand. The inner receptacle and the outer receptacle includecorresponding magnetic members to couple the inner receptacle to theouter receptacle.

Innovative aspects of the subject matter described in this specificationmay be embodied in a system for regulating a temperature of a drink, thesystem including a receptacle system defining a recess for receiving adrinking vessel, including: an outer receptacle including a through holeand a protruding member, an inner receptacle that is removably couplableto the outer receptacle, the receptacle system comprising a top endportion, a bottom end portion, an inner wall portion, and an outer wallportion, the top end portion defines a top opening of the recess,wherein a cavity is defined between the outer receptacle and the innerreceptable; and a stand for holding the receptacle system, the standreleasably attached to the receptable system; and the stand including atop end positioned opposite a bottom end, the top end of the standproximate to an attachment point with the receptacle system, the standfurther including i) a cavity proximate to the top end of the stand andcorresponding to the protruding member for attaching the receptaclesystem to the stand and ii) a reservoir proximate to the top end of thestand and the through hole of the outer receptacle.

These and other embodiments may each optionally include one or more ofthe following features. For instance, the outer receptacle includes oneor more pathways positioned between an inner surface of the outerreceptacle and an inner surface of the inner receptacle, the pathwaysterminating at the through hole. When the receptacle system is attachedto the stand, the protruding member is at least partially positionedwithin the cavity. The protruding member of the outer receptacle and thecavity of the stand include corresponding magnetic members to couple thereceptacle system to the stand. The inner receptacle and the outerreceptacle include corresponding magnetic members to couple the innerreceptacle to the outer receptacle.

Innovative aspects of the subject matter described in this specificationmay be embodied in a method for regulating a temperature of a drink, themethod including placing an inner receptacle in a cooling environmentwith a cooling temperature, the cooling temperature below roomtemperature; removing the inner receptacle from the cooling environment;attaching the inner receptacle to an outer receptacle, the innerreceptacle and the outer receptacle forming a receptacle system;standing the receptacle system upright; pouring a drink into a drinkingvessel; and placing the drinking vessel into a recess defined by thereceptacle system while the receptacle system is standing upright.

These and other embodiments may each optionally include one or more ofthe following features. For instance, releasably attaching thereceptacle system to a stand. Removing condensation that is collected ata reservoir of the stand.

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter describedin this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other potential features, aspects, and advantages ofthe subject matter will become apparent from the description, thedrawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichdepict various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a system for controlling thetemperature of a drink, the system including a receptacle releasablyattached to a stand.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1A, with thereceptacle detached from the stand.

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1A, with thereceptacle holding a drinking vessel with a first shape.

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of the receptacle ofFIG. 1A holding the drinking vessel with the first shape of FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of the receptacle ofFIG. 2A holding a drinking vessel with a second shape.

FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of the receptacle ofFIG. 2A holding a drinking vessel with a third shape.

FIG. 2D is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of the receptacle ofFIG. 2A holding a drinking vessel with a fourth shape.

FIG. 2E is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of the receptacle ofFIG. 2A holding a drinking vessel with a fifth shape.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a receptacle with a first shapedefining a recess with a first shape.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a receptacle with a second shapedefining a recess with a second shape.

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a receptacle with a third shapedefining a recess with a third shape.

FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram of a receptacle with a fourth shapedefining a recess with a fourth shape.

FIG. 3E is a schematic diagram of a system for controlling thetemperature of a drink in use with a champagne flute.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of an elongated stand.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of an elongated stand with a pointed end.

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of a stand that is substantially flat.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1A, with ahighlighted condensation path.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the receptacle of FIG. 1A, with thelip viewable.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a system for controlling thetemperature of a drink, with a receptacle detached from a stand.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 7A with thereceptacle releasably attached to the stand.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of a rack.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of the rack of FIG. 8A in a foldedposition.

FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram of the rack of FIG. 8A in a partiallyfolded position.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial rear view of the rack of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system with the rack of FIG. 8Acarrying three receptacles, stands, and drinking vessels.

FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of a system for controlling thetemperature of a drink with a canister.

FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a system for controlling thetemperature of a drink with a canister with canister arms.

FIG. 11C is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 11B, with thecanister arms shows holding receptacles.

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of a system for controlling thetemperature of a drink with a receptacle holding a stemless drinkingvessel.

FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of the system and drinking vessel ofFIG. 12A, with the drinking vessel removed from the receptacle.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method for controlling the temperature of adrink.

FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram of a front view of a furtherimplementation of the system for controlling the temperature of a drink,the system including a receptacle system releasably attached to a stand.

FIG. 14B is a schematic perspective view of the receptacle system ofFIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a schematic exploded view of the receptacle system of FIG.14A.

FIG. 16 is a schematic exploded view of the system of FIG. 14A

FIG. 17 is a schematic cut-way view of the receptacle system of FIG.14A.

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of the stand of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 19 is a back view of the receptacle system of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the system of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 14A, including adrip tray.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of a method for controlling the temperature of adrink.

FIG. 23 a schematic view of the system of FIG. 14A, the system holding adrinking vessel.

FIG. 24 is a schematic top-down cut-away view of the outer receptacle ofthe receptacle system of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 25 is a schematic side-view cut-away view of the drop tray of FIG.21 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, details are set forth by way of example tofacilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should beapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that thedisclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possibleembodiments.

As will be described in further detail, the inventors of the presentdisclosure have developed systems and methods for controlling andmaintaining the temperature of a drink within a drinking vessel. Thesystems and methods may allow for better and more convenient temperaturecontrol of the drink and thereby better enjoyment of the drink by auser.

A user may pour a drink into a drinking vessel and use the system tomaintain and control the temperature of the drink. In one example of asystem, the system includes a receptacle and a stand. A user may cool orwarm the receptacle by placing the receptacle in a freezer or microwave,for example. After waiting for the receptacle to reach a temperature,the user can remove the cooled or warmed receptacle and use thereceptacle to hold a drinking vessel containing a drink. As thereceptacle holds the drinking vessel, thermal energy is transferred fromthe drinking vessel to the cooled receptacle or from the heatedreceptacle to the drinking vessel. The receptacle, by holding thedrinking vessel and transferring thermal energy, cools or warms thedrinking vessel and maintains and controls the drink's temperature,prolonging the time the drink is cool or warm. The receptacle may bereleasably attached to the stand to enable the receptacle to hold, forexample, a stemmed wine glass. FIG. 1A depicts such a system, where auser can control the temperature of a drink within a drinking vessel byplacing the drinking vessel in a cooled or warmed receptacle.

As shown by example in FIG. 1A, the system may include a receptacle 100releasably attached to a stand 102. The receptacle 100 and stand 102 maybe made from one or more of a variety of materials including plastic,wood, metal, ceramic, or a combination thereof and may include atextured surface to allow for easier grip. The receptacle 100 defines arecess 104 to receive and hold a drinking vessel. The recess formed bythe receptacle 100 may take a variety of shapes and be contoured todefine a recess to receive a variety of drinking vessels havingdifferent shapes.

In general, the receptacle 100 controls or maintains temperature bycontacting a drinking vessel. By contacting the drinking vessel wherethe drinking vessel contains the drink, such as the lower part of thebowl of a wine glass, the receptacle 100 can efficiently enable thetransfer of thermal energy between the heated or cooled receptacle 100and the drink.

A side opening 106 may allow a drinking vessel such as a stemmed wineglass to be easily received and still securely held by the recess 104.The user may easily place a stemmed wine glass into the receptacle 100by placing the stem of the wine glass through the side opening 106 andsetting the bowl of the wine glass in the receptacle 100. The sideopening 106 also allows parts of a drinking vessel to be viewed whilethe receptacle 100 holds the drinking vessel. As depicted in FIG. 1A,the side opening 106 may extend laterally from an inner wall portion 108to an outer wall portion 110. As also shown by example in FIG. 1A, theside opening 106 may also extend vertically from a top opening 112,defined by a top end portion 116 of the receptacle 100, to a bottomopening 114, defined by a bottom end portion 118 of the receptacle 100.The outer wall portion 110 and inner wall portion 108 connect the topend portion 116 and bottom end portion 118. The side opening 106 allowsthe user to view their drink but is not so great in size as to let adrinking vessel fall through the receptacle 100 or to eliminate thetemperature control and maintenance benefits of the system.

The bottom end portion 118 as shown in FIG. 1A is substantially C-shapedand defines a bottom opening 114 of the recess 104. The bottom opening114 may be small enough such that a drinking vessel does not fallthrough the bottom opening 114, but large enough such that at least partof a stem of a drinking vessel may extend through the bottom opening114.

The top end portion 116 as shown in FIG. 1A is also substantiallyC-shaped. As also shown by example in FIG. 1A, the top end portion 116defines a top opening 112 of the recess 104. The top opening 112 mayallow the recess 104 to receive a drinking vessel. As shown in FIG. 1A,the top opening 112 may have a larger cross-sectional area than thebottom opening 114.

One problem that may occur when a user drinks a cooled drink, or usesother temperature controlling systems, is that condensation accumulateson the drinking vessel or temperature controlling system. When thecondensation accumulates, it may drip onto a user's hand, causing theuser inconvenience. Moisture may also accumulate and drip onto a foot ofa wine glass, for example. When the user drinks from the wine glass, theuser may inadvertently pour the moisture from the foot of the wine glassonto the user or other undesired locations, such as the user's dinnerplate. The system allows for enjoyment of a drink with reduced oreliminated condensation accumulating at undesired locations.

To reduce unwanted user contact with condensation, the bottom endportion 118 of the receptacle 100 includes a lip 120. The lip 120 isshown as the lowest point of receptacle 100. When condensationaccumulates on the system or drinking vessel, it may sweat downward tothe lip 120. As shown in FIG. 1A, the lip 120 is located away from theside opening 106 where the user may grab a drinking vessel and away froma location where the condensation will drip onto a stem of a wine glass,for example. As shown in FIG. 1A, the lip 120 is shaped as two or morepeaks. The lip 120 is shaped to extend outwardly from the receptacle 100or the stand 102. With the lip 120, condensation that sweats onto thedrinking vessel or onto the user is reduced or eliminated. With the lip120, condensation may be redirected from the receptacle 100 to the stand102 and down to the supporting surface upon which the stand 102 isplaced. The system may be alternatively configured such that the lip 120is shaped as a single peak, a ridge, a plurality of ridges, or acombination thereof. The lip 120 may also be part of the stand 102.

The system includes the stand 102 to hold the system upright, to allowuse with stemmed drinking vessels, or both. The stand 102 is elongatedso that a drinking vessel is lifted off a supporting surface. Althoughshown as elongated, the stand 102 may be substantially flat. Thereceptacle 100 may also have a flat bottom end portion such that thereceptacle 100 may stand upright without a stand 102. As shown in FIG.1A, the stand 102 holds the receptacle 100 upright with the top endportion 116 substantially above the bottom end portion 118. The stand102 also has one or more stand prongs 122 a and 122 b. The stand prongs122 a and 122 b extend radially outward from the receptacle 100 toprovide a wide base and sturdiness to prevent the system or drinkingvessel from toppling over. The stand 102 also has one or more feet 124 aand 124 b for contacting a surface. The feet 124 a and 124 b may contactthe supporting surface, such as a tabletop or the ground, therebyholding the stand 102 upright.

The system shown in FIG. 1A offers many advantages over previoussystems. One advantage of the system is that a user may control andmaintain the temperature of their drink while using their own drinkingvessel. The user does not have to drink out of a large or lesser qualitydrinking vessel, such as a bulky insulated container, which may controltemperature but diminishes the drinking experience. Another advantage isthat the drinking vessel and drink may be viewed while in use, asopposed to a system that prevents viewing, such as a koozie. Viewing adrink enhances the user's experience by allowing the user to enjoy thecolor of the drink, for example. An additional advantage of the systemis that the user may fine-tune the temperature to their liking. Forexample, the user may simply lift their drinking vessel from thereceptacle and hold or set the drinking vessel directly on a supportingsurface to allow the drink to warm slightly. The user may place thedrinking vessel in the receptacle as the user desires to fine-tune thetemperature. When using a tumbler, instead of the system in FIG. 1A forexample, the user may not simply remove the drink from a tumbler andplace the drink back into the tumbler. A further advantage of the systemshown in FIG. 1A is that it reduces the condensation that drips onto theuser's hand. The system also is advantageous in that it is shaped toresist toppling over.

One advantage of the system is that the system may include releasablyattachable components. For example, FIG. 1B shows the system of FIG. 1A,with the receptacle 100 detached from the stand 102. When the system hasa receptacle 100 that is detachable, a user may place only thereceptacle 100 in a cooling environment (such as a freezer orrefrigerator) or heating environment (such as an oven, microwave, orheat lamp) without the stand 102. The cooling environment and heatingenvironment may be any environment where the temperature is below orabove room temperature, respectively. A user may save space in thecooling or heating environment by detaching the stand 102 and placingonly the receptacle 100 in the cooling or heating environment.

Detachability using a common attachment shape also allows formodularity, for example, a system where the stand 102 can releasablyattach to numerous receptacles with the same or different shapes.Detachability allows one or more receptacles to be placed in a coolingor heating environment while another receptacle is in use, attached tothe stand 102, or both. The user may detach a first receptacle from astand and replace the first receptacle with a second receptacle that iscooled or heated. Therefore, a user may enjoy a first drink with thefirst receptacle and, when the user is ready for a second drink, theuser may use a second receptacle that is already cooled or heated. Theuser can enjoy each drink at a desired temperature. Detachability alsoallows the stand to remain at a comfortable temperature for the user tohandle. Detachability further allows modularity in that the receptacle100 may be used with a plurality or variety of stands. The receptacle100 may attach to the stand 102 by mating parts such as a pin and hole,magnets, a hinge, joint, or any other attachment mechanism. When thesystem has multiple receptacles or stands, some or all receptacles andsome or all stands may have common attachment shapes, allowing for asystem with interchangeable, modular parts. For example, everyreceptacle can include the same-shaped hole and every stand can includethe same-shaped pin to connect to the hole. As an additional example,every receptacle may have a magnet with the same-shaped contactingsurface and every stand may have a magnet with the same-shapedcontacting surface. Detachability also allows for the receptacle 100 tobe used with different-shaped stands, as described later. As alsodescribed later, detachability allows for a stand 102 to be used withdifferent-shaped receptacles. In some systems, the receptacle 100 may befixedly attached to the stand 102.

As an example of how the system holds a drinking vessel, FIG. 1C depictsthe system of FIGS. 1A and 1B holding a drinking vessel 126 with a firstshape. After the receptacle 100 is removed from a cooling or heatingenvironment, the receptacle 100 may be releasably but securely attachedto the stand 102. The drinking vessel 126 may then be held by thereceptacle 100, and the receptacle 100 may contact lower portions of thedrinking vessel 126 nearest the drinkable fluid, thereby maintaining andcontrolling the drink's temperature efficiently.

As viewable in FIG. 1C, the top end portion 116 and bottom end portion118 are substantially C-shaped about the drinking vessel 126. The bottomopening 114 is small enough such that the drinking vessel 126 does notfall through the bottom opening 114, but large enough such that the stemof the drinking vessel 126 extends through the bottom opening 114.

While holding the drinking vessel 126, at least part of the receptacle100 may contact the drinking vessel 126 while the recess 104 of thereceptacle 100 receives the drinking vessel 126. The contact of thedrinking vessel 126 by the receptacle 100 allows the system toefficiently transfer thermal energy, thereby controlling and maintainingthe temperature of the drinking vessel 126. The side opening 106 allowsparts of the drinking vessel 126 to be viewed while the system holds thedrinking vessel 126. The system need not have a side opening. Withoutthe side opening 106, the system may even more efficiently control andmaintain the temperature of a drink by fully enclosing the drinkingvessel. But a system that allows a user to view the drink while enjoyingthe drink may enhance a user's experience. For example, the user mayenjoy watching bubbles rise in their champagne. The user may enjoyviewing the caramel color of their scotch or the deep red of theirBordeaux. The side opening 106 also allows the stemmed drinking vessel126 to be easily placed within and removed from the recess 104. Thestand 102 may be elongated so that the drinking vessel 126 is lifted offa supporting surface as shown in FIG. 1C. A drinking vessel may need tobe lifted off of a supporting surface if, for example, the drinkingvessel has a stem.

The system as shown allows for use with a drinking vessel 126 designedto be used with a particular drink. The drinking vessel 126 is designedfor red wine. A user may wish to enjoy a drink out of a drinking vesseldesigned for a particular drink. For example, the user may enjoy using achampagne flute for champagne as the champagne flute itself creates along path for champagne bubbles to rise. A user may also wish to enjoydrinks out of glasses other than champagne flutes, such as a martini outof a coupe. As a further example, many wine glasses are shapeddifferently to direct the flow of a specific wine variety onto parts ofthe user's tongue or affect the aromas that a user smells. Drinkingvessels may also have aesthetic qualities such as thin or decorativeglass that is unmatched by bulky insulated containers. The system isadvantageous in that it allows a user to enjoy a temperature-controlleddrink out of the drinking vessel specifically designed for that drink.

The system also allows for controlling the temperature of a drinkwithout inserting a foreign object into the drink itself. Such a foreignobject may decrease enjoyment of the drink by adding weight to thedrinking vessel, changing the feel of the drinking vessel, affectingtaste and smell of the drink, causing unwanted contact of the user'slips or face with the foreign object, and decreasing the aesthetic valueof a drinking vessel containing a drink. The system allows a user toenjoy drinking from a drinking vessel 126, while the drink's temperatureis controlled and maintained, without diminishing the enjoyment of thedrink with a foreign object. An additional advantage of the system isthat the user may fine-tune the temperature to their liking. Forexample, the user may simply lift their drinking vessel from thereceptacle and hold or set the drinking vessel directly on a supportingsurface to allow the drink to warm slightly. In systems that use aforeign object placed within the drink contents, it may be difficult fora user to fine-tune the temperature of their drink because the user willhave to insert their hand into the drink contents.

Although the drinking vessel 126 is shown having a first shape, thesystem may be used with a variety of drinking vessels with differentshapes. The system may hold different-shaped drinking vessels, such as ared wine glass, a Bordeaux glass, a Burgundy glass, a white wine glass,a stemmed wine glass, a stemless wine glass, a round wine glass, a wineglass with angled edges, a champagne flute, a pint glass, a whiskeyglass, a martini glass, a coupe glass, a glass with any variety ofshapes, a can, a bottle, or any other vessel used to contain a drink. Aswill be described herein, the receptacle 100 can be shaped to providesurface-to-surface contact with numerous different-shaped drinkingvessels. Another way the system can be used with different-shapeddrinking vessels is by having numerous receptacles defining differentrecess for receiving a variety of different-shaped drinking vessels.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E provide examples of how the system of FIG.1A through 1C may be used with different-shaped drinking vessels. Thereceptacle 100 may define a recess that can receive a variety ofdifferent drinking vessels, such as the drinking vessel 126 with thefirst shape of FIG. 1C, shown in FIG. 2A. The recess may also receive adrinking vessel 128 with a second shape shown in FIG. 2B, a drinkingvessel 130 with a third shape shown in FIG. 2C, a drinking vessel 132with a fourth shape shown in FIG. 2D, and a drinking vessel 133 with afifth shape shown in FIG. 2E. The drinking vessels 126, 128, 130, and132 are wine glasses. The drinking vessel 133 is a coupe glass. Thereceptacle 100 may be shaped to allow for a large surface area of theinner wall portion 108 to contact drinking vessels of a variety ofdifferent shapes and sizes. Increased contact area allows more efficienttemperature control because the thermal energy transfer is dependent onhow much surface of the drinking vessel is contacted near the drink. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A through 2E, the inner wallportion 108 is specially shaped with a multivessel contour to contact alarge surface area of a variety of different-shaped drinking vesselsnear where the drink is contained.

An example of the multivessel contour is depicted in FIG. 2A through 2E.At the top end portion 116, a top incline 134 has a top slope. “Slope”in this disclosure refers to the mathematical numerical descriptor. Whenthe receptacle is sitting upright and is holding a drinking vessel, thetop slope may have a magnitude such that the top incline 134 is nearlyperpendicular to the supporting surface upon which the system stands.The top incline 134 contacts the drinking vessel 128 in FIG. 2B andcontacts the drinking vessel 130 in FIG. 2C.

The inner wall portion 108 may also have a curved surface 136. Thecurved surface 136 may better accommodate drinking vessels that havewide bowls, angular edges, or both. The curved surface 136 connects thetop incline 134 and a middle incline 138. The curved surface 136 isshown as having a smooth surface but may be jagged or may include acombination of smooth and jagged surfaces to more firmly hold a drinkingvessel or to accommodate other drinking vessels. Although jaggedsurfaces may decrease surface area contact, jagged surfaces may preventslippage. The curved surface 136 contacts the drinking vessel 130 inFIG. 2C and the drinking vessel 133 in FIG. 2E. The middle incline 138may have a middle slope of less magnitude than the top slope of the topincline 134. The middle incline 138 accommodates drinking vessels thatmay curve inwardly towards the bottom of the bowl of the drinkingvessel. The middle incline 138 contacts the drinking vessel 130 in FIG.2C and the drinking vessel 133 in FIG. 2E. The middle incline 138 isconnected to a bottom incline 140 at the bottom end portion 118. Thebottom incline 140 may have a bottom slope of greater magnitude than themiddle slope of the middle incline 138 and less magnitude than the topslope of the top incline 134. The bottom incline 140 allows for a largersurface area of the receptacle to contact narrow drinking vessels, forexample. The bottom incline 140 contacts the drinking vessel 126 in FIG.2A, the drinking vessel 128 in FIG. 2B, the drinking vessel 130 in FIG.2C, the drinking vessel 132 in FIG. 2D, and the drinking vessel 133 inFIG. 2E.

The system is therefore advantageous over other systems as it cancontrol the temperature of a variety of different drinking vessels withdifferent shapes. FIG. 2A through 2E provide five examples of how areceptacle with one shape can hold different-shaped drinking vessels toprovide suitable surface area contact to provide thermal conduction. Thesystem may also be configured such that the inner wall portion 108includes convex contours, concave contours, or both to provide surfacecontact area for particular drinking vessels.

An additional advantage of the system, viewable in FIG. 2A through 2E,is an inner cavity 142. The inner cavity 142 allows for efficient andlong-lasting temperature control, insulation, or a combination thereof.For example, the inner cavity 142 may carry and contain a liquidsolution. When placed in the freezer, the liquid solution may freeze,thereby increasing the time and degree of drink temperature control andmaintenance.

As shown by FIG. 2A through 2E, between the inner wall portion 108 andouter wall portion 110, and between the top end portion 116 and bottomend portion 118, there may be defined an inner cavity 142. The top endportion 116, bottom end portion 118, inner wall portion 108, and outerwall portion 110, define a top boundary, bottom boundary, innerboundary, and outer boundary of the inner cavity 142, respectively. Theboundaries enclose the inner cavity 142. The inner cavity 142 maycontain and carry air or gasses. The inner cavity 142 may include anevacuated chamber. The evacuated chamber in the inner cavity 142 mayhave a pressure less than 600 Torr, less than 10⁻¹ Torr, less than 10⁻²Torr, less than 10⁻³ Torr, or less than 10⁻⁴ Torr. The inner cavity 142may contain and carry solids, such as Styrofoam or plastic-coated wood.The inner cavity 142 may contain and carry a liquid solution such thatthe inner cavity 142 is partially or fully filled. The liquid solutionmay include water, gel such as alcohol gel, a solute, or a combinationthereof. A liquid solution in the inner cavity 142 may have a freezingpoint, for example, above the temperature of household freezers. Theinner cavity 142 may allow for longer temperature retention of thereceptacle, thereby increasing the time the temperature of a drink iscontrolled. The inner cavity 142 may include an expansion area, allowingroom for a solution to expand, such that a frozen solution does notexert sufficient pressure on the boundaries of the inner cavity 142 soas to damage the receptacle. Although an inner cavity 142 is shown inFIG. 2A through 2E, the system may include a receptacle or receptacleswithout an inner cavity 142. Although only part of the system is shownin FIG. 2A through 2E, the inner cavity may extend around the receptacleto encompass a drinking vessel or may be housed in a portion or portionsof the receptacle.

One advantage of the system is that it may use multiple receptacles tohold different-shaped drinking vessels. FIG. 3A through 3E depictmultiple receptacles with different shapes defining recesses withdifferent shapes. Each receptacle may releasably attach to the samestand via common attachment shapes. For example, each receptacle mayattach to any one or more stands by mating parts such as a pin and hole,or complimenting shapes, magnets, a hinge, joint, or any otherattachment mechanism. All receptacles and stands in a system may sharecommon attachment shapes to allow for modularity and interchangeability.In addition to accommodating multiple different drinking vessels,multiple receptacles allow for one or more receptacles to be heated orcooled while another receptacle is in use. For example, a user may beusing one receptacle in a system to chill a drinking vessel whileanother receptacle is sitting in the user's freezer. Each receptacle maybe used with and releasably attached to a variety of stands, for examplewith each stand shown in other FIG. in this disclosure. FIG. 3E shows asystem with the stand 102 and a receptacle 143. The receptacle 143 isreleasably attached to the stand 102 and is holding a champagne flute135. Although FIG. 3A through 3E show multiple receptacles withdifferent shapes, the system may include multiple receptacles with thesame shape, such as receptacles shown in other FIG. A system withmultiple receptacles with the same shape is beneficial, for example,because a user can have a cooled receptacle for each additional glass ofwine. Further, as mentioned earlier, a receptacle can receive manydifferent types of drinking vessels.

Another advantage of the system is that it may be used in differentsettings. For example, the system may have different stands fordifferent uses, such as for use outdoors. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4Ccollectively depict multiple stands in which different receptacles withcommon attachment shapes may be used. For example, each depicted standmay be used with and releasably attached to receptacles shown in otherFIG. in this disclosure.

An elongated stand may be used to hold above a supporting surface andcool, for example, a stemmed wine glass. FIG. 4A depicts a stand 102,shown in FIG. 1A through 1C, that may be used with a stemmed wine glass.The stand 102 as shown is elongated. The stand 102 is operable to hold areceptacle upright. The depicted embodiment has two stand prongs 122 aand 122 b, each with a foot 124 a and 124 b. The feet 124 a and 124 bmay contact the surface, such as a tabletop or the ground, therebyholding the stand 102 upright.

For use outdoors or for use with a soft, penetrable supporting surfacesuch as earth, a stand may be configured to be inserted into thesupporting surface. For example, FIG. 4B depicts a stand 144. The stand144 as shown is elongated and has a pointed end 146. The pointed end 146may be inserted securely into a soft supporting surface such as dirt,sand, or grass. The stand 144 may have two stand prongs 148 a and 148 b.When attached to a receptacle, the stand 144 can thereby hold areceptacle upright above a soft surface. For example, a user may wish tocool a drink while sitting on the ground outdoors.

For use with a drinking vessel without a stem, such as a stemless wineglass, mug, or a whiskey glass, a stand may be configured so as to useminimal space. For example, FIG. 4C depicts a stand 150. The stand 150as shown is substantially flat. The stand 150 is shown with one foot152. The stand 150 may hold a receptacle upright. The stand may have twostand prongs 154 a and 154 b. Although a receptacle may be configured tobe substantially flat at a bottom end portion to hold, for example, astemless wine glass, coffee cup, or snifter, upright without a stand,the stand 150 may be attached to a receptacle to hold a stemless wineglass (or a variety of other drinking vessels). The foot 152 may contactthe surface, such as a tabletop or the ground, thereby holding the stand150 upright.

Different stands, as depicted by example in FIG. 4A through 4C allow fora system with greater versatility than other systems. The differentstands allow for a system that can be used with different drinkingvessels and in different environments. A user may wish to use a drinkingvessel with a stem, such as a wine glass or a drinking vessel without astem, such as a whiskey glass. The user may wish to use a drinkingvessel while sitting at a table or while sitting on the ground at apicnic.

As described above, the system may include a lip to route condensationaway from undesired locations. The system may also include acondensation path to route condensation. For example, FIG. 5 depicts thesystem of FIG. 1A through 1C with a highlighted condensation path 156.As shown by example in FIG. 5 , the condensation path 156 may be formedin part or wholly by contours of the receptacle 100 and stand 102. Forexample, the inner wall portion 108 is sloped downwardly towards lip120.

The condensation path 156 allows for moisture that accumulates on thedrinking vessel or system to flow to a desired location, such as a foot124 a or 124 b, or a location on the receptacle 100. The location on thereceptacle 100 for the moisture to flow is away from where the user willgrab the drinking vessel at the side opening 106, and away from wherethe condensation will drip onto a foot of a wine glass, for example. Ashighlighted in FIG. 5 , condensation path 156 extends from thereceptacle 100 to the stand 102. The condensation path 156 includes thelip 120. The lip 120 may be shaped to protrude downwardly, as shown inFIG. 5 , such that condensation drips off the lip 120, away from theuser's hand. In FIG. 5 , the condensation path 156 includes the lip 120and ends at the feet 124 a and 124 b.

The condensation path 156 may be formed differently. For example, thesystem may include a condensation path that is formed in part or whollyby a groove on the surface of the inner wall portion 108, stand 102, orboth. The condensation path 156 is yet another advantage the system mayhave, as it prevents unwanted moisture from traveling to undesiredlocations.

As described above, lip 120 offers advantages such as reducing oreliminating moisture contact with a user's hand. To view lip 120, FIG. 6depicts a side view of receptacle 100 of FIG. 5 .

Another advantage of the system is that it may also be used toefficiently control the temperature of a drink within a drinking vesselsuch as a pint glass. An additional advantage may allow the pint glassand drink to be viewable while the system controls and maintains thedrink temperature. An additional advantage of the system is that theuser may fine-tune the temperature to their liking. For example, theuser may simply lift their drinking vessel from the receptacle and holdor set the drinking vessel directly on a supporting surface to allow thedrink to warm slightly. A stand may also have added functionality toincrease insulation and improve the time the drink is maintained at adesired temperature. For example, a stand may have an evacuated chamberto improve insulation. A stand may also be securely and releasablyattachable to the receptacle by complimenting the shape of thereceptacle, thereby shrouding the receptacle. FIG. 7A depicts an exampleof the system for controlling the temperature of a drink with areceptacle 158 and a stand 160. The receptacle 158 is shown detachedfrom the stand 160. The receptacle 158 is shaped to define a recess 162to receive a drinking vessel 164 such as a pint glass. The inner wallportion 166 is sloped inwardly from the top end portion 168 to thebottom end portion 170. The outer wall portion 172 is sloped inwardlyfrom the top end portion 168 to the bottom end portion 170. Since thereceptacle 158 compliments the shape of the drinking vessel 164, thereceptacle 158 allows for a large surface area of the receptacle 158 tocontact the drinking vessel, thereby enabling efficient transfer ofthermal energy.

The receptacle 158 shown defines a side opening 174 to allow parts of adrinking vessel 164 to be viewed while the system holds the drinkingvessel 164. Alternatively, a receptacle may fully shroud the pint glass.The side opening 174 also allows the drinking vessel 164 to be easilyreceived by the recess 162 by providing the user more space to grab thedrinking vessel 164. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the side opening 174extends laterally from the inner wall portion 166 to the outer wallportion 172. As described above in this disclosure, between the innerwall portion 166 and outer wall portion 172, and between the top endportion 168 and bottom end portion 170, there may be defined an innercavity.

The stand 160 also defines a stand side opening 176 such that thedrinking vessel 164 is viewable when held by the receptacle 158 when thereceptacle 158 is releasably attached to the stand 160. The stand 160includes an evacuated chamber. The evacuated chamber may be containedbetween a stand inner wall portion 178, a stand outer wall portion 180,a top stand portion 182, and a bottom stand portion 184. The evacuatedchamber has a pressure less than 600 Torr, less than 10⁻¹ Torr, lessthan 10⁻² Torr, less than 10⁻³ Torr, or less than 10⁻⁴ Torr. Theevacuated chamber provides for better insulation of the drinking vessel164 when the receptacle 158 is holding the drinking vessel 164 and isreleasably attached to the stand 160. The stand 160 and receptacle 158also may include an outer texture sleeve to allow for better grip when,for example, the user removes the receptacle 158 from a freezer. Theouter texture sleeve may be releasably attachable.

The system as configured for a pint glass or other glasses may includethe releasably attachable functionality and modularity. As mentionedabove, releasably attachable parts may save space, for example in afreezer, and may add versatility to the system. FIG. 7B depicts thesystem for controlling the temperature of a drink in FIG. 7A, with thereceptacle 158 releasably attached to the stand 160. In the depictedexample, the receptacle 158 and stand 160 releasably attach by beingcomplimentarily shaped, such that the receptacle 158 fits tightly withinthe stand 160. As shown by FIG. 7B, the stand 160 shrouds the receptacle158 and may thereby improve insulation and increase the time oftemperature control. Also as shown by FIG. 7B, the drinking vessel 164viewable due to the side opening 174 and stand side opening 176.

FIGS. 7A and 7B use a pint glass as an example. The receptacle 158 andstand 160 depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be complimentarily shaped toreleasably attach and fit any drinking vessel. To provide longertemperature control and maintenance, the system may have a receptaclewithout a side opening and a stand without a stand side opening.

The system offers further advantages over previous systems in that itmay include a rack to allow for easy carrying. Other systems may bebulky and therefore difficult to carry and store. FIG. 8A depicts aportion of an exemplary system, a rack 186. The rack 186 has a tray 188that is used to carry one or more receptacles releasably attached tostands, one or more drinking vessels, or a combination thereof. The tray188 has a hand 190 a, a hand 190 b, and a hand 190 c, each for receivinga receptacle releasably attached to a stand, a drinking vessel, or acombination thereof. Each hand 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c is substantiallyC-shaped, as shown in FIG. 8A. Alternatively, hands may be shaped as twostraight lines, for example. The hands 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c fit undera receptacle, drinking vessel, or both to lift the receptacle, drinkingvessel, or both when a user exerts an upward force on the hands 190 a,190 b, and 190 c. The rack 186 may include any number of hands to carryany number of one or more receptacles releasably attached to stands, oneor more drinking vessels, or a combination thereof.

The rack 186 has a first arm 192 attached to a first tray side 194. Thefirst arm 192 may be attached to the first tray side 194 by a hinge,joint, mating parts such as a pin and hole, or complimenting shapes,magnets, or any other attachment mechanism. The rack 186 has a secondarm 196 attached to the second tray side 198. The second arm 196 may beattached to the second tray side 198 by a hinge, joint, mating partssuch as a pin and hole, or complimenting shapes, magnets, or any otherattachment mechanism. The first arm 192 and the second arm 196 areattached such that the first arm 192 and the second arm 196 may fold, asdescribed later. The first arm 192 and the second arm 196 have movablesecondary arms 200 a and 200 b further attaching the first arm 192 andsecond arm 196, respectively, to the tray 188. The rack 186 may alsohave two rack feet 202 a and 202 b to stand the rack 186 upright on asupporting surface. The rack feet 202 a and 202 b are attached to thetray 188 and are foldable under the tray 188. The rack feet 202 a and202 b may be attached to the tray 188 by a hinge, joint, mating partssuch as a pin and hole, or complimenting shapes, magnets, or any otherattachment mechanism. The rack 186 includes a rack handle 201 to allowthe user to more easily carry the rack 186.

Storage spaces can be limited in settings where one or more drinkingvessels, receptacles, stands, or a combination thereof are used. Forexample, a restaurant or bar may need numerous receptacles and drinkingvessels and may need a rack to carry the receptacles to tables. But therestaurant may have limited storage space. Therefore, a rack that cancarry the system but can be stored in a small amount of space isdesired. The rack 186 can further save space for the user by beingfoldable when not being used for carrying. For example, FIG. 8B depictsthe rack 186 of FIG. 8A in a folded position. FIG. 8C depicts the rack186 of FIG. 8A in a partially folded position.

In one example of how the rack 186 in FIG. 8A through 8C can fold tosave space, FIG. 9 depicts how the first arm 192 and second arm 196 mayfold. FIG. 9 shows a partial rear view of the rack depicted in FIG. 8Athrough 8C. The second arm 196 may have a track 204 that allows a wheel206 of the first arm 192 to slide in the track 204, thereby folding therack. The wheel 206 need not rotate to slide in the track 204. Wheel 206is a cylindrical pin. A wheel may revolve around an axle, may have alow-friction surface, or both.

FIG. 10 depicts a system with the rack 186 of FIG. 8C. The system isshown with rack 186 carrying three receptacles 100 a, 100 b, and 100 creleasably attached to three stands 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c. Eachreceptacle 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c is shown holding a drinking vessel126 a, 126 b, or 126 c. The system is modular, as any of the threereceptacles 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c may be releasably attached to any ofthe three stands 102 a, 102 b, or 102 c. When a user lifts the rack, forexample by the rack handle 201, the user may lift and carry the system.

In an exemplary system, the system includes a canister to hold a winebottle and multiple stands for attaching receptacles. Users may wish tomaintain the temperature of a bottle while viewing it or sharing it at arestaurant. The canister may be configured to receive any type of bottleor drinking vessel. The system can simultaneously control and maintainthe temperature of wine within a wine bottle and wine poured into wineglasses. Users may also wish to easily carry one or more receptacles,stands, drinking vessels, bottles, or a combination thereof. FIG. 11Adepicts an exemplary system that allows for easy carrying andsimultaneous temperature control of drinking vessels and a bottle. Eachreceptacle 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c is shown releasably attached tostands 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c, respectively. The stands 208 a, 208 b,and 208 c are mounted on a canister 210. The canister 210 has a fourthstand mounted on a rear side of the canister, not viewable in FIG. 11A.The stands 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c may alternatively be releasablyattached to the canister 210. The canister 210 is operable to receive awine bottle 212 with a canister recess 214 defined by the canister 210.

To maintain and control the temperature of the wine bottle 212, thecanister 210 may be thermally insulated so as to prevent thermal energyfrom traveling into the canister recess 214. For example, the canister210 may include a canister inner cavity. The canister inner cavity mayinclude an evacuated chamber. The evacuated chamber in the canisterinner cavity may have a pressure less than 600 Torr, less than 10⁻¹Torr, less than 10⁻² Torr, less than 10⁻³ Torr, or less than 10⁻⁴ Torr.To maintain and control the temperature of the wine bottle 212, forexample, the canister inner cavity may be filled with thermal materialincluding a solid, gas, liquid, or combination thereof. The canisterinner cavity or canister recess 214 may be filled with ice to controland maintain the temperature of the wine. The user may place thecanister 210 in a cooling or heating environment before use.

The canister 210 may include a removable inner sleeve. The removableinner sleeve may function so that the user can store only the removableinner sleeve in a heating or cooling environment so as to save space inthe heating or cooling environment. The removable inner sleeve may bepart of or include any part of the canister 210. For example, the innersleeve may include the inner cavity and evacuated chamber.

One advantage of the system of FIG. 11A is that it allows a user tosimultaneously control the temperature of wine within a wine bottle andwine within drinking vessels held by the receptacles 100 a, 100 b, and100 c. Since the receptacles 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are releasablyattachable to the stands 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c mounted on the canister210, receptacles that have been warmed over time may be swapped for coolreceptacles. The system therefore allows the temperature of drink to becontrolled and maintained for extended periods of time. Additionally,the system may be used with receptacles with different shapes toaccommodate different drinking vessels. The system can therefore be usedwhen, for example, users wish to enjoy wine of a first type using afirst type of glass, then switch to a second type of wine using a secondtype of glass. A system with a canister may be configured to use anynumber of receptacles and stands. The system may be used with standswith different lengths or extendable stands for differently sizedtables. The system may have more or less stands and receptacles. Acanister may be shaped to receive multiple bottles.

Users may wish to enjoy the benefits of a canister, such as easycarrying and simultaneous temperature-control of a bottle, while alsoenjoying the mobility of a freestanding receptacle and stand. Each pairof freestanding receptacles and stands may be independently moved byeach user, while still holding a drinking vessel, therebytemperature-controlling a drinking vessel and allowing each user toplace their drinking vessel at a reachable location. Such mobility maybe desired at a large table, where it may be difficult for all users toreach one location. FIG. 11B is an exemplary system with a canister 215having freestanding receptacles 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c, stands 102 a,102 b, and 102 c and drinking vessels 126 a, 126 b, and 126 c. Thereceptacles 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are releasably attached to thestands 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c, respectively. To securely holdreceptacles and stands, canister arms 217 a and 217 b are mounted on thecanister 215. Additional canister arms are mounted on the front and rearof the canister 215 but are not viewable at the angle shown in FIG. 11B.The canister arms 217 a and 217 b fit under receptacles 100 a and 100 band the stands 102 a and 102 b. The canister arms 217 a and 217 b may beshaped to fit securely around the stand and receptacle to hold thereceptacle and stand, while not intruding on the recess or preventingthe receptacles 100 a and 100 b from holding the drinking vessels 126 aand 126 b. A canister handle 219 is attached to the canister 210. Whilethe canister arms 217 a and 217 b securely hold the receptacles 100 aand 100 b, a user may lift the canister, or canister handle 219, therebylifting the receptacles 100 a and 100 b, the stands 102 a and 102 b,releasably attached to the receptacles, and the drinking vessels 126 aand 126 b held by the receptacles 100 a and 100 b. The system thereforeallows a user to carry multiple receptacles, stands, drinking vessels,and a bottle. The system may include canister arms that releasablyattach to stands or receptacles to securely hold the stands andreceptacles. Canister arms may attach to stands by mating parts such asa pin and hole, magnets, a hinge, joint, or any other attachmentmechanism. FIG. 11B shows the system while the canister arms 217 a and217 b are not holding the stands 102 a and 102 b and receptacles 100 aand 100 b. FIG. 11C shows the system of FIG. 11B, while the canisterarms 217 a and 217 b are holding the stands 102 a and 102 b andreceptacles 100 a and 100 b. Stand 102 c and receptacle 100 c are beingheld by a canister arm that is not viewable. By lifting the canisterhandle 219, the user may carry the system and drinking vessels 126 a,126 b, and 126 c held by the system.

Drinks are often enjoyed out of stemless drinking vessels such aswhiskey glasses or stemless wine glasses. Like drinks poured intostemmed drinking vessels, drinks poured into stemless drinking vesselsare often poured such that the entire drinking vessel is not fullyfilled. For example, wine and whiskey are commonly poured to fill lessthan the entire drinking vessel or less than two-thirds, less than half,or less than a third of the drinking vessel. Filling less than theentire drinking vessel allows a user to swirl the drink in the glass, sothat the user may better smell the complex aromas of the drink.Additionally, filling the drinking vessel with less drinking fluidexposes the drink to more oxygen and may thereby develop the flavor ofthe drink. In an exemplary system, the system may be used to holdstemless drinking vessels and contact a bottom portion of the drinkingvessel to allow for efficient temperature control and maintenance, whilestill enabling viewing of the drinking vessel, the drink within, orboth. The system may include a receptacle that shrouds a bottom portionof the drinking vessel where some, most, or all of the drink is likelyto be contained. The system may also shroud most or all of the drinkingvessel. FIG. 12A depicts an exemplary system, with the receptacle 216defining a recess 218 and holding drinking vessel 220. Drinking vessel220 is a stemless wine glass. The receptacle 216 is shown shrouding andcontacting a bottom portion of the drinking vessel 220 where the drinkis most likely to be contained. The system still allows the drinkingvessel 220 to be viewed, or additionally allows a portion or all of thedrink contained within to be viewed, thereby enhancing the user'senjoyment of the drink. The greater area of contact with the bottomportion of the drinking vessel 220 where the drink is contained allowsfor better thermal conduction and thereby better temperature control andmaintenance. The receptacle 216 has a top end portion 222, a bottom endportion 224, an inner wall portion 226, and an outer wall portion 228.The top end portion 222 is shown defining a top opening 230 of therecess 218. The receptacle 216 is shown standing upright without astand. The receptacle 216 includes a bottom opening 221. The bottomopening 221 allows condensation to drip through the opening instead ofpooling in the bottom of the receptacle 216.

The receptacle 216 may hold many differently shaped drinking vessels.The system may include any other feature. For example, the system mayinclude an inner cavity, a multivessel contour, both, or additionally oralternatively any one or more of other features as described elsewherein this disclosure. A receptacle, while shown without a side opening inFIG. 12A, may include a side opening. The receptacle 216 may alsoreleasably attach to a stand.

FIG. 12B depicts the system and drinking vessel 220 of FIG. 12A, whenthe receptacle 216 is not holding the drinking vessel 220. The innerwall portion 226, recess 218, and top opening 230 are viewable.

Disclosed herein are methods to control a temperature of a drink. Themethods allow for better enjoyment of the drink by the user by enablingviewing of the drink, saving space, and efficiently controlling thedrink's temperature. FIG. 13 is a flow chart of an exemplary method forcontrolling the temperature of a drink. The method may use componentsand systems as described elsewhere in this disclosure. For example, themethod may use the receptacle, stand, receptacle and stand, or system asdescribed with respect to FIG. 1A through 12B. After starting thecontrolling of the temperature at step 900, the method includesenclosing a liquid solution in an inner cavity of a receptacle at step901. Enclosing a solution allows for better and longer thermal transfer.The method includes selecting whether a warm or cool drink is desired atstep 902. If a warm drink is selected, the method includes placing areceptacle at a heating environment at step 903. The heating environmentmay be any environment where the temperature is above room temperature,such as an oven, microwave, or heat lamp. The method includes removingthe receptacle from the heating environment at step 904. If a cool drinkis selected, the method includes placing a receptacle at a coolingenvironment at step 905. The cooling environment may be any environmentwhere the temperature is below room temperature, such as a freezer orrefrigerator. The method includes removing the receptacle from thecooling environment at step 906.

The method includes attaching the receptacle to a stand at step 907. Themethod includes standing the receptacle upright at step 908. Thereceptacle may be stood at step 908 by placing a stand releasablyattached to the receptacle on a surface. The receptacle may be stood atstep 908 by standing the receptacle upright without a stand on asupporting surface such as a tabletop or the ground outdoors. Thereceptacle may be stood at step 908 by inserting into the earth a standwith a pointed end releasably attached to the receptacle. The methodincludes pouring a drink into a drinking vessel at step 909. The methodincludes placing the drinking vessel into a recess defined by thereceptacle at step 910. The method may additionally include fine-tuningthe temperature of the drink. For example, the method may includelifting the drinking vessel from the recess defined by the receptacle soas to let the drink warm or cool slightly. The method includes endingthe controlling of the temperature at step 911.

FIGS. 14A, 14B illustrates a further implementation of the receptacle,shown as receptacle system 1400, and the stand, shown as stand 1402. Thereceptacle system 1400 can be releasably attached to the stand 1402.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the receptacle system 1400 can include an outerreceptacle 1404 and an inner receptacle 1406. The inner receptacle 1406can be removably coupled to the outer receptacle 1404. The outerreceptacle 1404 can include a through hole 1410, and a protruding member1602, as shown in FIG. 16 .

Referring back to FIGS. 14A, 14B, the receptacle system 1400 defines arecess 1405, similar to the recess 104 of FIG. 1A. Similar to thatmentioned with respect to the receptacle 100, the receptacle system 1400includes a side opening 1420 that extends laterally from an inner wallportion 1422 to an outer wall portion 1423. The side opening 1420 mayalso extend vertically from a top opening 1424, defined by a top endportion 1426 of the receptacle system 1400, to a bottom opening 1428,defined by a bottom end portion 1430 of the receptacle system 1400. Theouter wall portion 1423 and inner wall portion 1422 connect the top endportion 1426 and bottom end portion 1430.

As the inner receptacle 1406 is detachable from the outer receptacle1404, the inner receptacle 1406 may be placed in a cooling environment(such as a freezer or refrigerator) or heating environment (such as anoven, microwave, or heat lamp) without the outer receptacle 1404 and/orthe stand 1402. The cooling environment and heating environment may beany environment where the temperature is below or above roomtemperature, respectively. A user may save space in the cooling orheating environment by detaching the receptacle system 1400 from thestand 1402, and the inner receptacle 1406 from the outer receptacle 1404and placing only the inner receptacle 1406 in the cooling or heatingenvironment. In some examples, the receptacle system 1400 including theouter receptacle 1404 and the inner receptacle 1406 can be placed in thecooling or heating environment.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the inner receptacle 1406 can include an innersurface 1502 that is positioned opposite to the inner wall portion 1422.The outer receptacle 1404 can include an inner surface 1504 that isopposite to the outer wall portion 1423. When the inner receptacle 1406is coupled to the outer receptacle 1404, as shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, theinner surface 1502 of the inner receptacle 1406 is positioned oppositeto an inner surface 1504 of the outer receptacle 1404. Furthermore, asshown in FIG. 17 , when the inner receptacle 1406 is coupled to theouter receptacle 1404, a cavity 1702 is defined between the innerreceptacle 1406 and the outer receptacle 1404, and in particular,between the inner surface 1502 of the inner receptacle 1406 and theinner surface 1504 of the outer receptacle 1404. The cavity 1702 maycollect condensation from the receptacle system 1400, described furtherherein.

Referring back to FIG. 15 , the inner surface 1504 of the outerreceptacle 1404 can include a bottom inner surface 1554. In someexamples, the bottom inner surface 1554 can have a “bottom slope.”Specifically, slope, as described herein, refers to the mathematicalnumerical descriptor. When the receptacle system 1400 is positioned on asurface (the stand 1402 is positioned on a surface and coupled to thereceptacle system 1400), the bottom slope may have a magnitude such thatthe bottom inner surface 1554 is “pitched” or “at an angle” with respectto the surface the receptacle system 1400 is positioned on. The bottominner surface 1554 can have a slope that is pitched towards the stand1402.

Referring to FIG. 18 , the stand 1402 can include a top end 1802positioned opposite to a bottom end 1804. When the receptacle system1400 is coupled with the stand 1402, the top end of the stand 1402 isproximate to an attachment point between the receptacle system 1400 andthe stand 1402.

The stand 1402 can further include a cavity 1810 and a reservoir 1812.The cavity 1810 is positioned proximate to the top end 1802 of the stand1402. The cavity 1810 corresponds to the protruding member 1602 of theouter receptacle 1404, as shown in FIG. 16 . That is, when thereceptacle system 1400 is coupled to the stand 1402, at least a portionof the protruding member 1602 is positioned within the cavity 1810. Thereservoir 1812 is positioned proximate to the top end 1802 of the stand1402, and further positioned proximate to the cavity 1810. The reservoir1812 corresponds to the through hole 1410 of the outer receptacle 1404.That is, when the receptacle system 1400 is coupled to the stand 1402,the reservoir 1812 is positioned proximate to the through hole 1410 ofthe outer receptacle 1404.

Referring to FIGS. 14B, 15, 17, and 18 , condensation may form on theinner receptacle 1406—e.g., when the temperature of the inner receptacle1406 differs from that of room temperature (the temperature of theenvironment containing the receptacle system 1400). To reduce unwanteduser contact with condensation, the receptacle system 1400 and the stand1402 may funnel such condensation into the reservoir 1812. Specifically,the condensation that forms on the inner receptacle 1406, and inparticular, the inner surface 1502 of the inner receptacle 1406, may becaptured in the cavity 1702 between the inner receptacle 1406 and theouter receptacle 1404. That is, as the condensation forms on the innersurface 1502 of the inner receptacle 1406, the condensation may bedirected toward the bottom end portion 1430 of the receptacle system1400 and further directed to the bottom inner surface 1554 of the outerreceptacle 1404 (e.g., due to a gravitational force). In some examples,the condensation can remain within the cavity 1702 (e.g., on the innersurface 1502 of the inner receptacle 1406 and/or the bottom innersurface 1554 of the outer receptacle 1404). As such, condensation thatcan come into contact with a user of the receptacle system 1400 and thestand 1402, as well as the surface that the stand 1402 is positioned on,can be minimized and/or prevented.

In some examples, as the bottom inner surface 1554 is sloped towards thestand 1402, the condensation can further be directed towards a back endportion 1660 of the outer receptacle 1404 (e.g., due to a gravitationalforce), as shown in FIG. 16 . As the condensation is directed towardsthe back end portion 1660 of the outer receptacle 1404, the condensationcan further egress from the through hole 1410 of the outer receptacle1404. As the reservoir 1812 is positioned proximate to the through hole1410 of the outer receptacle 1404, when the condensation egresses fromthe through hole 1410, the condensation can be directed to the reservoir1812. The reservoir 1812 can collect/hold such condensation. As such,condensation that can come into contact with a user of the receptaclesystem 1400 and the stand 1402, as well as the surface that the stand1402 is positioned on, can be minimized and/or prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 24 , in some examples, the outer receptacle1404 can further include pathways 2402. The pathways 2402 can be betweenpositioned between the inner surface 1504 of the outer receptacle 1404and the inner surface 1502 of the inner receptacle 1406, and morespecifically, positioned on (or included by) the bottom inner surface1554 can include the pathways. The pathways 2402 can be conduits orcontoured lines that facilitate movement of the condensation in aparticular direction. The pathways 2402 can terminate at the throughhole 1410 of the outer receptacle 1404. To that end, the pathways 2402can facilitate directing the condensation towards the back end portion1660 of the outer receptacle 1404, and further, direct the condensationto egress from the through hole 1410 of the outer receptacle, andultimately, to the reservoir 1812.

In some examples, the inner receptacle 1406 can be removably coupled tothe outer receptacle 1404 by one or more coupling means. For example,the inner receptacle 1406 can “clip-in” to the outer receptacle 1404 viaone or more tabs 1560 of the inner receptacle 1406 coupling with one ormore tab interlocking members 1562 of the outer receptacle 1404. Forexample, the inner receptacle 1406 can be removably coupled to the outerreceptacle 1404 using any type of coupling members, such as screws, orother interlocking members. In some examples, the inner receptacle 1406is permanently coupled to the outer receptacle 1404.

Referring to FIG. 17 , in some examples, the inner receptacle 1406 andthe outer receptacle 1404 include corresponding magnetic members toremovably couple the inner receptacle 1406 to the outer receptacle 1404.For example, the inner surface 1504 of the outer receptacle 1404 caninclude a first set of magnetic members 1752 and the inner surface 1502of the inner receptacle 1406 can include a second set of magneticmembers 1750. The first set of magnetic members 1752 of the innersurface 1504 can correspond to the second set of magnetic members 1750of the inner surface 1502. That is, when the inner receptacle 1406 ispositioned proximate to the outer receptacle 1404, the correspondingsets of magnetic members 1750 and 1752 can be positioned proximate toone another such that the magnetic members 1750 and 1752 apply amagnetic coupling between the inner receptacle 1406 and the outerreceptacle 1404. As such, the inner receptacle 1406 is removably coupledto the outer receptacle 1404 via magnetic forces between the first setof magnetic members 1752 of the inner surface 1504 and the second set ofmagnetic members 1750 of the inner surface 1502.

In some examples, the inner receptacle 1406 can at least partiallyinclude a magnetic material, or formed from a magnetic material.Further, the outer receptacle 1404 can include magnetic members toremovably couple the inner receptacle 1406 to the outer receptacle 1404.For example, the inner surface 1504 of the outer receptacle 1404 caninclude magnetic members. When the inner receptacle 1406 is positionedproximate to the outer receptacle 1404, the magnetic members of theouter receptacle 1404 apply a magnetic coupling with the magneticmaterial of the inner receptacle 1406. As such, the inner receptacle1406 is removably coupled to the outer receptacle 1404 via magneticforces between the magnetic members of the outer receptacle 1404 and themagnetic material of the inner receptacle 1406.

In some examples, the outer receptacle 1404 can at least partiallyinclude a magnetic material, or formed from a magnetic material.Further, the inner receptacle 1406 can include magnetic members toremovably couple the inner receptacle 1406 to the outer receptacle 1404.For example, the inner surface 1502 of the inner receptacle 1406 caninclude magnetic members. When the inner receptacle 1406 is positionedproximate to the outer receptacle 1404, the magnetic members of theinner receptacle 1406 apply a magnetic coupling with the magneticmaterial of the outer receptacle 1404. As such, the inner receptacle1406 is removably coupled to the outer receptacle 1404 via magneticforces between the magnetic members of the inner receptacle 1406 and themagnetic material of the outer receptacle 1404.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19 , in some examples, the protruding member1602 of the outer receptacle 1404 and the cavity 1810 of the stand 1402can include corresponding magnetic members to couple the receptaclesystem 1400 to the stand 1402. For example, a surface 1902 of theprotruding member 1602 can include a first set of magnetic members.However, other surfaces of the protruding member 1602 can additionallyinclude magnetic members. Further, the magnetic members can be includedwithin the protruding member 1602. Referring to FIG. 20 , in someexamples, a surface 2002 of the cavity 1810 can include a second set ofmagnetic members; however, other surfaces of the cavity 1810 canadditionally include magnetic members. The first set of magnetic membersof the protruding member 1602 can correspond to the set second ofmagnetic members of the cavity 1810. That is, when the receptacle system1400 is coupled to the stand 1402, and specifically, the protrudingmember 1602 is positioned within the cavity 1810, the corresponding setsof magnetic members can be positioned proximate to one another such thatthe magnetic members apply a magnetic coupling between the protrudingmember 1602 and the cavity 1810. As such, the receptacle system 1400 isremovably coupled to the stand 1402 via magnetic forces between thefirst set of magnetic members of the protruding member 1602 and thesecond set of magnetic members of the cavity 1810.

In some examples, the protruding member 1602 of the outer receptacle1404 can at least partially include a magnetic material, or formed froma magnetic material. Further, the cavity 1810 of the stand 1402 caninclude magnetic members to removably couple the outer receptacle 1404to the stand 1402. For example, the surface 2002 of the cavity 1810 caninclude magnetic members. When the protruding member 1602 is positionedwithin the cavity 1810, the magnetic members of the cavity 1810 apply amagnetic coupling with the magnetic material of the protruding member1602. As such, the receptacle system 1400 is removably coupled to thestand 1402 via magnetic forces between the magnetic members of thecavity 1810 and the magnetic material of the protruding member 1602.

In some examples, the cavity 1810 of the stand 1402 can at leastpartially include a magnetic material, or formed from a magneticmaterial. Further, the protruding member 1602 of the outer receptacle1404 can include magnetic members to removably couple the outerreceptacle 1404 to the stand 1402. For example, the surface 1902 of theprotruding member 1602 can include magnetic members. When the protrudingmember 1602 is positioned within the cavity 1810, the magnetic membersof the protruding member 1602 apply a magnetic coupling with themagnetic material of the cavity 1810. As such, the receptacle system1400 is removably coupled to the stand 1402 via magnetic forces betweenthe magnetic members of the protruding member 1602 and the magneticmaterial of the cavity 1810.

Referring back to FIG. 17 , the inner receptacle 1406 may include aninner cavity 1770, similar to the inner cavity 142 as described abovewith respect to FIG. 2A through 2E. The inner cavity 1770 allows forefficient and long-lasting temperature control, insulation, or acombination thereof. For example, the inner cavity 1770 may carry andcontain a liquid solution. When placed in the freezer, the liquidsolution may freeze, thereby increasing the time and degree of drinktemperature control and maintenance.

The inner cavity 1770 can be defined between the inner wall portion 1422and the inner surface 1502 of the inner cavity 1770, and between the topend portion 1426 and bottom end portion 1430. The inner cavity 1770 maycontain and carry air or gasses. The inner cavity 1770 may include anevacuated chamber. The evacuated chamber in the inner cavity 1770 mayhave a pressure less than 600 Torr, less than 10⁻¹ Torr, less than 10⁻²Torr, less than 10⁻³ Torr, or less than 10⁻⁴ Torr. The inner cavity 1770may contain and carry solids, such as Styrofoam or plastic-coated wood.The inner cavity 1770 may contain and carry a liquid solution such thatthe inner cavity 1770 is partially or fully filled. The liquid solutionmay include water, gel such as alcohol gel, a solute, or a combinationthereof. A liquid solution in the inner cavity 1770 may have a freezingpoint, for example, above the temperature of household freezers. Theinner cavity 1770 may allow for longer temperature retention of thereceptacle, thereby increasing the time the temperature of a drink iscontrolled. The inner cavity 1770 may include an expansion area,allowing room for a solution to expand, such that a frozen solution doesnot exert sufficient pressure on the boundaries of the inner cavity 1770so as to damage the receptacle.

In some examples, the outer receptacle 1404 can additionally include aninner cavity, similar to the inner cavities 1770 and 142.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 25 , the receptacle system 1400 can furtherinclude a drip tray 2102. The drip tray 2102 can be coupled to thebottom end portion 1430 of the receptacle system 1400. The drip tray2102 can be removably coupled to the receptacle system 1400, orpermanently coupled to the receptacle system 1400. In some examples, thedrip tray 2102 is additionally coupled to the stand 1402—at the top end1802 of the stand 1402. In some examples, the drip tray 2102 is onlycoupled to the stand 1402 (in lieu of being coupled to the receptaclesystem 1400). The drip tray 2102 can include a cavity 2502 positionedbetween an inner surface 2504 of the drip tray 2102 and the outer wallportion 1423 at the bottom end portion 1430 of the receptacle system1400.

The cavity 2502 can collect/store condensation that may form on theouter wall portion 1423 of the outer receptacle 1404. Specifically,condensation can accumulate on the outer wall portion 1423, e.g., whenthe temperature of the outer receptacle 1404 differs from that of roomtemperature (the temperature of the environment containing thereceptacle system 1400). To reduce unwanted user contact with thecondensation, the condensation can be directed towards the bottom endportion 1430 of the receptacle system 1400 (e.g., due to a gravitationalforce). In some examples, the condensation can overcome capillary forcesthat may “hold” or “maintain” the condensation at the bottom end portion1430 of the outer receptacle 1404. When the condensation overcomes suchcapillary forces, the condensation can “drop” into the cavity 2502 ofthe drip tray 2102. In some examples, the cavity 2502 can hold suchcondensation. In some examples, the drip tray 2102 can funnel suchcondensation into the reservoir 1812 of the stand 1402. Specifically,the condensation that is captured by the cavity 2502 may be directed tothe reservoir 1812 (e.g., due to a gravitational force). As such,condensation that can come into contact with a user of the receptaclesystem 1400 and the stand 1402, as well as the surface that the stand1402 is positioned on, can be minimized and/or prevented.

Disclosed herein are methods to control a temperature of a drink. Themethods allow for better enjoyment of the drink by the user by enablingviewing of the drink, saving space, and efficiently controlling thedrink's temperature. FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 2200for controlling the temperature of a drink. The method may usecomponents and systems as described elsewhere in this disclosure. Forexample, the method may use the receptacle system 1400 and/or the stand1402 as described with respect to FIGS. 14-21 and 23-25 .

The inner receptacle 1406 is placed in a cooling environment with acooling temperature (2202). The cooling temperature is below a roomtemperature of an environment containing the receptacle system 1400. Theinner receptacle 1406 is removed from the cooling environment (2204).The inner receptacle 1406 is attached to the outer receptacle 1404(2206). The inner receptacle 1406 and the outer receptacle 1404 form thereceptacle system 1400. The receptacle system 1400 is stood upright(2208). The receptacle system 1400 is releasably attached to the stand1402 (2210). A drink is poured into a drinking vessel (2212). Thedrinking vessel is placed into the recess 1405 while the receptaclesystem 1400 is standing upright (2214). For example, FIG. 23 illustratesa drinking vessel 2300 placed into the recess 1405 while the receptaclesystem 1400 is standing upright.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for regulating a temperature of a drink,the system comprising: a receptacle system defining a recess forreceiving a drinking vessel, including: an outer receptacle, and aninner receptacle that is removably couplable to the outer receptacle,wherein a cavity is defined between the outer receptacle and the innerreceptable, the receptacle system comprising a top end portion, a bottomend portion, an inner wall portion, and an outer wall portion, the topend portion defines a top opening of the recess.
 2. The system of claim1, further comprising a stand for holding the receptacle system, thestand releasably attached to the receptable system.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the stand includes a top end positioned opposite abottom end, the top end of the stand proximate to an attachment pointwith the receptacle system, the stand further including a reservoirproximate to the top end of the stand.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereinthe outer receptacle includes a through hole positioned proximate to thereservoir when the receptacle system is attached to the stand.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the outer receptacle includes one or morepathways positioned between an inner surface of the outer receptacle andan inner surface of the inner receptacle, the pathways terminating atthe through hole.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the stand includes atop end positioned opposite a bottom end, the top end of the standproximate to an attachment point with the receptacle system, the standfurther including a cavity proximate to the top end of the stand.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the outer receptacle includes a protrudingmember, wherein when the receptacle system is attached to the stand, theprotruding member is at least partially positioned within the cavity. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the protruding member of the outerreceptacle and the cavity of the stand include corresponding magneticmembers to couple the receptacle system to the stand.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the inner receptacle and the outer receptacle includecorresponding magnetic members to couple the inner receptacle to theouter receptacle.
 10. A system for regulating a temperature of a drink,the system comprising: a receptacle system defining a recess forreceiving a drinking vessel, including: an outer receptacle including athrough hole and a protruding member, an inner receptacle that isremovably couplable to the outer receptacle, the receptacle systemcomprising a top end portion, a bottom end portion, an inner wallportion, and an outer wall portion, the top end portion defines a topopening of the recess, wherein a cavity is defined between the outerreceptacle and the inner receptable; and a stand for holding thereceptacle system, the stand releasably attached to the receptablesystem; and the stand including a top end positioned opposite a bottomend, the top end of the stand proximate to an attachment point with thereceptacle system, the stand further including i) a cavity proximate tothe top end of the stand and corresponding to the protruding member forattaching the receptacle system to the stand and ii) a reservoirproximate to the top end of the stand and the through hole of the outerreceptacle.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the outer receptacleincludes one or more pathways positioned between an inner surface of theouter receptacle and an inner surface of the inner receptacle, thepathways terminating at the through hole.
 12. The system of claim 10,wherein when the receptacle system is attached to the stand, theprotruding member is at least partially positioned within the cavity.13. The system of claim 12, wherein the protruding member of the outerreceptacle and the cavity of the stand include corresponding magneticmembers to couple the receptacle system to the stand.
 14. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the inner receptacle and the outer receptacle includecorresponding magnetic members to couple the inner receptacle to theouter receptacle.
 15. A method for regulating a temperature of a drink,the method comprising: placing an inner receptacle in a coolingenvironment with a cooling temperature, the cooling temperature belowroom temperature; removing the inner receptacle from the coolingenvironment; attaching the inner receptacle to an outer receptacle, theinner receptacle and the outer receptacle forming a receptacle system;standing the receptacle system upright; pouring a drink into a drinkingvessel; and placing the drinking vessel into a recess defined by thereceptacle system while the receptacle system is standing upright. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising releasably attaching thereceptacle system to a stand.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising removing condensation that is collected at a reservoir of thestand.